A microarray is an extremely useful technique that helps researchers look at multiple specimens and DNA samples at the same time. The slide is made from either glass or silicon and contains large amounts of samples because of the sections printed inside it. This allows singular cells to be placed in the slide and moved about simultaneously, so that they can be studied individually without the trouble of changing slides over and over.

There are many different types of microarrays, as they are widely used and are expanding on a daily basis. Microarrays have become the most sophisticated and doctrinal tools for DNA research.

Types of Microarrays

• DNA Microarray This is commonly known as a biochip. It is a collection of DNA spots, each of which is attached to a solid surface. Researchers often use this to study the levels of a large number of genes simultaneously.

• Protein Microarray Protein microarray is a method used to trace the interactions and behaviour of proteins, to determine their function, and to see this function acting on a large scale. The main benefit of this is that large numbers of proteins can be studied at the same time.

• Peptide Microarray This brand of microarray is used for a more detailed study of the DNA samples. Commonly known as peptide epitope microarray, it is a collection of peptides that are placed on the silicon or glass surface to be studied. Peptide microarrays are most commonly used under conditions of microarray outsourcing, so that others can benefit from this. Usually, scientists in the fields of biology, medicine and pharmacology use these microarrays to study the binding properties of protein-to-protein interactions.

• Tissue Microarrays TMAs consist of paraffin blocks and can store up to one thousand tissue cores. They are assembled to allow a detailed analysis.

Making a microarray is a technique that removes tissue cores with a hollow needle. The tissue, which is taken from a diameter as small as 0.6mm and then inserted in a recipient paraffin block, is then mounted on a microscope slide and made ready for later study.

Microarray Printing

Microarray printing companies have been creating unique technologies especially for printing microarrays. These companies offer a wide range of microarray outsourced amenities that are available to all of their customers. These services include:

• Development and Optimisation The development of arrays that are robust and designed to meet the needs of their clients.

• Manufacturing The company processes high-speed arrays that are of good quality and of excellent capacity, to give their clients the best product possible.

• Custom Services Excellent production at both high and small scales.

Companies complete every process by themselves to give their product the best possible chance in the market. This requires them to conduct a thorough research so as to ensure that their products are among the best. Since this is a rapidly rising business, there is no margin for errors. Moreover, by selecting the right company, a client can get the best product they require with no hassle at all.